What is the RALC?

There are four Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALCs) in North Carolina, created by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction. They were designed to assist lateral entry teachers in NC to achieve a full professional educator’s license. read more...>

RALCApplication Procedures

Determine your Region

NC has four Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALC) available to assist school districts in the licensing of teachers, school social workers, and school counselors. Prospective applicants should apply to the RALC serving the county in which they live. Employed lateral or provisionally licensed teachers, school social workers, and school counselors should apply to the center that serves their employing school system. For a list of counties and schools served by each region, please select the Contact page.

ApplicationApply for a plan of study online by clicking here. You must register your personal email address to begin the application process. Instructions for the application and registration are included on the login page.

Supporting DocumentationThe following supporting documentation must be available for uploading when applying. The RALC reserves the right to request sealed, official documents if necessary.

Official transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities where you have earned credits are required. The type of degree, date earned, and GPA must be shown on the transcript where applicable. Applications received without official transcripts will be denied. It is permissible for you to open sealed transcripts, scan, and upload to your online application.

The RALC will accept clear, unaltered copies of official test scores, if applicable. See the Resources page for test information.

A copy of the license and DPI requirement letter must be submitted with the application for teachers holding a provisional, restricted CTE license.Foreign applicants must submit official documentation of eligibility to work in the United States, official foreign transcripts, an official translation, and a course-by-course evaluation from an international education evaluation service. See the Resources page for a link to locate international education evaluation services.

You cannot initiate a new or additional application or upload additional documents through our automated system if you have previously applied. Subsequent applications and/or supporting documentation must be sent via email. Please follow the below instructions matching your need.

copy of the license and DPI requirement letter for teachers holding a provisional, restricted CTE license

Expired plan of study

An individual with an expired plan of study who has never held a lateral entry license must be employed as a lateral entry teacher to apply for a new plan of study. A plan of study is not required to apply for vacant teaching positions.

Prospective teacher applying for additional license area (maximum of two license areas allowed)

Submit the new application to the RALC via email to your RALC Director. Include all documentation previously requested to qualify for RALC services

How long will it take to hear from the RALC?

The timeframe for an evaluation depends on the volume of pending requests.

Your application is not complete until all required documentation is received.

Only complete applications are evaluated.

Once evaluations are completed, you will receive notification via email.

For a limited time, you may also mail your RALC application and supporting documentation to the correct center. Mailing your application will result in a significant delay in the review and evaluation of your application.